Episode Archive

More than 2100 episodes* on just about any kind of thing you can think of. Collectively, we call it “stuff.” There’s definitely something in here that will pique your interest.

*We did the math once and listening every minute of every day, it would take more than 50 days to make it through the catalog. And what a couple of months that would be!

Selects: Mangroves: Nature's Best Tree?

March 14, 2026 44 min

Mangroves are incredible survivors and adapters. They're also amazing at lessening the impact of tropical storms and climate change. And heck, they're cool looking. So jump into the brackish waters and have a listen to this classic episode all about these beauts.

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How the Kowloon Walled City Worked

March 12, 2026 41 min

From the 1970s to the early 1990s a patch of land in Hong Kong the size of just a few football fields was the most densely-populated area in the world – and by a longshot. Even more remarkable, it was an outlaw land that somehow formed a tight community.

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Short Stuff: In-Flight Entertainment

March 11, 2026 12 min

Movies on planes have changed a lot in the last couple of decades. Today, we'll go over how this stuff works. 

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The Fyre Festival Fiasco

March 10, 2026 46 min

What happens when a career grifter tries to throw a "luxury" music festival in only six months? Not much it turns out.This was the Fyre Festival.

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Selects: How Spiritualism Works

March 7, 2026 61 min

Something spooky was born on the American frontier in the mid-19th century: the idea that people’s personalities survive death and that some gifted individuals can communicate with them. It developed into a religion that some still practice today.

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Let's All Go to the World's Fair

March 5, 2026 52 min

Before the internet could show you anything in the universe - including stuff it made up - people had few opportunities to have their minds blown. But every few years, somewhere in the world nations would gather and show off the cool stuff they invented.

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Short Stuff: Johnny Ringo

March 4, 2026 13 min

You might be familiar with the outlaw Johnny Ringo from the movie Tombstone. He was indeed a real-life black hat gunslinger, and a tragic figure at that.

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The Gold Standard: When Money Meant Something

March 3, 2026 52 min

There was a time less than 100 years ago when you could exchange your paper currency at the bank for actual gold. Gave folks a sense of stability, it did. Depending on your view, we either ruined or built our economies when money became just paper.

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Selects: How Dopamine Works

February 28, 2026 45 min

Dopamine is perhaps the most talked-about, most misunderstood biochemical in our bodies. It’s linked to not only addiction and depravity, but also focus, motivation, and living a productive life. How can one molecule be so many things to so many people? Find out all about it in this classic episode.

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The Battle of the Sexes

February 26, 2026 49 min

Back in 1973 a male chauvinist played tennis against champion Billie Jean King. This is that story.

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